RULES OF PLAY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

All competitions are governed by the USGA Rules of Golf and the World Handicap System (WHS). These Rules supplement the Rules of Golf and establish Committee procedures and Local Rules for San Marcos Men’s Club events. 

1. Tees of Play 

All events and major championships will be played from the Tees as shown on the event schedule. These will include some Pick Your Tee events where each player will select the Tees and associated Handicap they want to play from (this includes the Red Tees for players 70 years old and older). The event schedule and email invites will specify Tees of play. Wednesdays will be White Tees unless those 70 or over elect to play the Red Tees. 

2. Handicaps (WHS) 

The Men’s Club Handicap utilized will be the current GHIN handicap of the player. 

3. Membership & Eligibility 

Participation requires current paid SMMC membership and a current GHIN handicap. Guests may play but are not eligible to participate in the event for prizes or skins. 

4. Eligibility for Major Championships

Members must have played at least six (6) Men’s Club events in the prior six (6) months. For two-player events, the maximum handicap differential is ten (10) strokes unless stipulated differently in the email invite (some Holiday events may not require a set differential). Saturdays and some Holidays, along with Wednesday’s Net Game will now be included as a Men’s Club event for purposes of counting towards major event eligibility. 

5. Sign-Up Procedures 

Saturday sign-up is by email and closes at noon two days prior to play. Walk-ins on the day of the event are accepted only if space permits. Wednesday signup will be via the book located in the Pro Shop behind the desk. You must sign up before noon of the day before play. 

6. Entry Fees 

Individual events: $20 per player, which includes the game and skins. Individual Gross and Net events with skins will be $40. Two-day events are typically $30. Major event entry fees will be announced in advance. 

7. Pairings 

Major event pairings are based on handicap. Other pairings are at the Tournament Director or Pairings Committee discretion, and handicaps will be mixed to encourage meeting all members. 

8. Flights & Payouts 

Events with 18+ players are typically flighted. For Net events approximately 30% of each flight is paid. For Gross & Net competitions approximately 10% of the field for Gross and 20% for Net will be paid. Typically, 50% of the entry fees will go to the Game and 50% to skins.  

9. Scorecards 

Official scorecards required. Scores must be signed and attested. Returned cards are final once turned in for scoring. 

10. Posting Scores 

All scores are to be posted to GHIN. Major Tournament rounds shall be marked as Competition Scores. 

11. Putting & Hole Completion 

All putts must be holed out. Incomplete holes are recorded as a most likely score. 

12. New Member Handicap Procedures 

New members without a GHIN can participate, their handicap will be calculated at 80% of the difference between par and their score for the event until a GHIN handicap is established. 

13. Handicap Allowances 

Individual stroke play: 100% of GHIN. 

14. Skins 

Skins calculated at 100% handicap with a maximum of 18 strokes for Net Skins. 

EVENT LOCAL RULES

14 clubs maximum 

Integral objects: no free relief, staked trees are free relief, 

Boundary fences, lot lines and streets are out of bounds 

Relief per USGA Rules

White tees unless otherwise noted

Play the ball as it lies unless preferred lies are announced.

If you are in a deep groove or a footprint in a bunker that you can move and place the ball within the bunker no closer to the hole, same as if you are in mud/water in a bunker.
If you have a sprinkler head in your line when putting within two lengths of the green and within two club lengths of your ball, you can move the ball's position to avoid them, no closer to the hole.   

Hole 4 Out of Bounds

River Rock is out of bounds in the area beyond number 4 green, the north edge of the river rock, from the cart path to the homeowner’s fence shall be considered out of bounds any ball coming to rest in the rocks or beyond the rocks to the south shall be out of bounds

Hole 10 Out of Bounds Road 

the behind #10 green are out of bounds. meaning any ball that is on the road (asphalt or concrete curb) or has crossed the road is out of bounds and must be replayed from the original shot location. 

Hole 13 Penalty Penalty Area

Yellow penalty area; relief per Rule 17. 

The water on #13 is a true water hazard (yellow line) meaning that any ball hit into the water, from any side of the water, has to be played from the drop area location, from the tee box or point of shot origin or a point back (no closer to the hole) from where you entered the hazard keeping a straight line between that point and the pin.

Hole 17 Out of Bounds Roads

The road on #17 is out of bounds meaning any ball that is on the road (asphalt or concrete curb) or has crossed the road is out of bounds and must be replayed from the original shot location. 

Hole 18 Boundary Clarification 

Only the east-side boundary is out of bounds.

On #18 only the east side OB (and west side of #11) shall be considered out of bounds, meaning when teeing off, the road, areas around the road, areas around the blue tee box and the blue tee box are NOT to be considered out of bounds. Only the out of bounds along the east side of the hole (or west side of #11) is in play. Since the road is perpendicular to the hole and within the hole (not parallel to or beyond the hole) it is to be treated as a cart path with free relief if your ball comes to rest on the surface.

Road on #18 is in play and treated as an immovable obstruction. (Not OB)